A hot knife could tear right through this tension like butter. It was almost suffocating, an air so thick it seemed no one dared to breathe as Aeric and his team emerged from the Mock Dungeon's Lobby.
Aryanne's team came out first. Though some of them appeared tired and annoyed, Linnette and Elara accordingly, Aryanne had a grin on her face because her team had left the Dungeon before Aeric's, meaning she took the points for time taken to clear the Dungeon.
No one was paying her any attention though.
Behind them was Aeric, leading the group, his face stoic, his jaw clenched as though he was intentionally stopping himself from displaying any telling emotion.
Celestia walked beside him, her features pale but composed, still recovering from the chaos that had unfolded mere moments ago. Nyx followed close behind, her eyes flicking warily around the room, noticing the shock on everyone's face including her elder sister's.
